Below is an excerpt from the DNR website describing what “open managed forest” entails.
When using MFL lands Open to public recreation, the public…
• May access the land only for the purposes of hunting, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and cross country skiing.
• May access the land without asking permission.
• May access the land only by foot unless given other permission by the landowner(s).
• May use legal hunting methods including baiting and temporary tree stands during the hunting season(s). Land, trees or other property may not be damaged.
• May not use motorized vehicles or conduct target practice without landowner’s permission.
• May not damage the property or anything on it.
When using MFL lands Open to public recreation, the public is encouraged to:
• Avoid trespass through awareness of their location, MFL boundaries and property lines.
• Treat the property and resources with respect. Damage and trespass incidents are enforced by the local Sheriff’s Department, not the DNR.
• Let landowners know when and where they are going to be on MFL land. Though not a legal requirement, notification is courteous and enhances safety.
For MFL lands Open to public recreation, landowners…
• May restrict or deny the use of motorized vehicles upon the parcel.
• May designate a specific access point or route to the Open MFL land. Typically, the public can access Open MFL parcels from a public road. When not obvious, public access must be reasonable and clearly identified. Where the public must cross the owner’s non-MFL or Closed MFL land to access the Open MFL land, the landowner must identify the public access route.
• May post signs approved by the DNR to show the access route or identify the location of closed lands.
• May restrict access within 300 feet of any building or active commercial timber sale (cutting firewood for personal use does not apply) that conforms to the management plan.
• May grant additional uses to the public if the landowner so desires.
• May not deny access to any person.
• May not restrict the number of people accessing the parcel.
• May not post signs, which restrict or give the appearance of restricting permitted uses.